Armorer&#39;s block

ABSTRACT

A firearm support apparatus for supporting a firearm in a generally horizontal orientation. The firearm support apparatus includes a support plate configured to horizontally support the firearm on both a top face and a bottom face  200  of the support plate. The support plate additionally includes a plurality of projections for providing horizontal restraint to the firearm, and a plurality of cutouts configured to provide clearance and access to portions of the firearm. The firearm support apparatus includes two moveable bosses for frictionally securing the firearm to the firearm support apparatus. The firearm support apparatus includes a striker holder for supporting a striker of the firearm in a generally vertical orientation, and a trigger holder for supporting a trigger of the firearm in a generally horizontal orientation.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/103,828, filed Dec. 11, 2013, for ARMORER'S BLOCK, which isincorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to firearm holding devices, andmore specifically to firearm holding devices for cleaning andmaintaining a firearm.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Traditionally, a firearm such as a shotgun or handgun is either handheldduring maintenance or cleaning, or held securely by a standard metalmachinist vise or shop vise. However, machinist or shop vises are notdesigned for firearm restraint and may, for example, damage the finishof the firearm or restrain the firearm in a position inconvenient forthe user.

Handgun holding devices found in the prior art commonly support thehandgun in a position where the plane of the gun is vertical, i.e.either in a firing position or with the barrel oriented in a verticaldirection.

Adjustable portions of the handgun holding device typically allow forthe firearm to be placed in the holding device and then secured. Otheradjustable portions may allow for various firearm shapes and sizes to besecured by the same holding device.

Firearm holding devices may also support the firearm in a horizontalposition so that firearm pins are in a vertical position and the handgunis supported when the pins are punched or hammered out. While horizontalholding devices typically provide support for the entire firearm,because the holding device must be designed to support the varyingprofile of the firearm, the ability of the firearm holding device tosupport varying shapes and sizes is limited.

Another characteristic found in firearm holding devices is one or moreareas for holding portions of the firearm removed during maintenance,for example, the trigger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a firearmsupport apparatus for securing a firearm, comprising: a support plateincluding a top face configured to conformingly receive the firearm in aflat position, the support plate including a barrel edge proximate to abarrel of the firearm when the firearm is supported by the supportplate, the support plate further including a first boss cutout, thefirst boss cutout configured in a generally oblong shape, and locatedproximate to a back strap of the firearm when the firearm is supportedin the flat position, the support plate further including a second bosscutout, the second boss cutout configured in a generally oblong shape,the second boss cutout located proximate to a front strap of the firearmwhen the firearm is supported in the flat position; at least four bottomlegs coupled to a bottom face of the support plate; a first moveableboss comprising a first top cylinder, the first top cylinder including afirst top circular hole parallel to a cylindrical axis of the first topcylinder, and a first top hexagonal indentation in an end of the firsttop cylinder distal to the support plate, the first top cylinder havingan outer diameter greater than a width of the first boss cutout, and thefirst top cylinder cylindrical axis oriented generally perpendicular tothe top face, a first bottom cylinder including a first bottom circularhole parallel to a cylindrical axis of the first bottom cylinder, and afirst bottom hexagonal indentation in an end of the first bottomcylinder distal to the support plate, the first bottom cylinder havingan outer diameter greater than the width of the first boss cutout, andthe first bottom cylinder cylindrical axis oriented generallyperpendicular to the bottom face, a first bolt comprising a first headand a first threaded shaft, whereby the first bolt couples the first topcylinder to the first bottom cylinder by the first head fitting snuglyinto the first top hexagonal indentation and the first threaded shaftextending through the first top circular hole, through the first bosscutout, and through the first bottom circular hole, a first nut fittingsnugly into the first bottom hexagonal indentation and threadablycoupled to the first threaded shaft, whereby the support plate issandwiched between the first top cylinder and the first bottom cylinderand the first threaded shaft is encircled by the first boss cutout,whereby the first moveable boss slides relative to the top face and thebottom face by loosening the first nut and sliding the first moveableboss along the top face and the bottom face, and whereby the firstmoveable boss is frictionally coupled to the support plate by tighteningthe first nut on the first threaded shaft, and whereby the firstmoveable boss positionally engages the firearm when the firearm issupported in the flat position by the support plate and the firstmoveable boss is juxtaposed with a rear curved portion of the firearm,the rear curved portion proximate to the barrel; a second moveable bosscomprising a second top cylinder, the second top cylinder including asecond top circular hole parallel to a cylindrical axis of the secondtop cylinder, and a second top hexagonal indentation in an end of thesecond top cylinder distal to the support plate, the second top cylinderhaving an outer diameter greater than a width of the second boss cutout,and the second top cylinder cylindrical axis oriented generallyperpendicular to the top face, a second bottom cylinder including asecond bottom circular hole parallel to a cylindrical axis of the secondbottom cylinder, and a second bottom hexagonal indentation in the end ofthe first bottom cylinder distal to the support plate, the second bottomcylinder having an outer diameter greater than the width of the secondboss cutout, and a second bottom cylinder cylindrical axis orientedgenerally perpendicular to the bottom face, a second bolt comprising asecond head and a second threaded shaft, whereby the second bolt couplesthe second top cylinder to the second bottom cylinder by the second headfitting snugly into the second top cylinder hexagonal indentation andthe second threaded shaft extending through the second top circularhole, through the second boss cutout, and through the second bottomcircular hole, a second nut, the second nut fitting snugly into thesecond bottom hexagonal indentation and being threadably coupled to thesecond threaded shaft, whereby the support plate is sandwiched betweenthe second top cylinder and the second bottom cylinder and the secondthreaded shaft is encircled by the second boss cutout, whereby thesecond moveable boss slides relative to the top face and the bottom faceby loosening the second nut and sliding the second moveable boss alongthe top face and the bottom face, and whereby the second moveable bossis frictionally coupled to the support plate by tightening the secondnut on the second threaded shaft; and whereby the second moveable bosspositionally engages the firearm when the firearm is supported in theflat position by the support plate and the second moveable boss isjuxtaposed with a front curved portion of the firearm, the front curvedportion formed by an intersection of a trigger of the firearm and thefront strap of the firearm; at least one top frame projection coupled tothe top face, the at least one top frame projection located proximate tothe barrel edge, whereby the at least one top frame projection isjuxtaposed with a top side of a firearm barrel, whereby a combination ofthe first moveable boss, the second moveable boss, and the at least onetop frame projection results in horizontal restraint of the firearm, andwhereby the horizontal restraint is removed by loosening at least onemoveable boss.

In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a method ofsecuring a firearm to a firearm support apparatus, comprising the stepsof: laying the firearm in a flat position on an upward-facing surface ofa support plate of the firearm support apparatus such that an at leastone top frame projection coupled to the upward-facing surface isproximate to a top of a barrel of the firearm, a first moveable bosscoupled to the support plate is proximate to a front strap of thefirearm, and a second moveable boss coupled to the support plate isproximate to a back strap of the firearm; sliding the first moveableboss along a top face such that the first moveable boss is juxtaposedwith the firearm; securing the first moveable boss to the support platein the juxtaposed position; sliding the second moveable boss along thetop face such that the second moveable boss is juxtaposed with thefirearm; securing the second moveable boss to the support plate in thejuxtaposed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of severalembodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from thefollowing more particular description thereof, presented in conjunctionwith the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support plate of a firearm supportapparatus with a top face of the support plate facing upwards

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the support plate of the firearm supportapparatus with a bottom face of the support plate facing upwards.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the firearm with the top face of thesupport plate facing upwards.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the firearm support apparatus with thetop face of the support plate facing upwards.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a first top cylinder of the firearm supportapparatus.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the first top cylinder of the firearmsupport apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first top cylinder of thefirearm support apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a first moveable boss coupled to thesupport plate.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a front top frame projection of the firearmsupport apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a rear top frame projection of the firearmsupport apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a top striker holder of the firearm supportapparatus.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a bottom striker holder of the firearm supportapparatus.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a firearm secured to the top face of thefirearm support apparatus, with the top face facing upwards.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the firearm secured to the top face of thefirearm support apparatus, with the bottom face facing upwards.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a striker of a firearm coupled to abottom striker holder of the firearm support apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a top trigger holder of the firearm supportapparatus.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a bottom trigger holder of the firearm supportapparatus.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a trigger and a trigger bar coupled tothe top trigger holder of the firearm support apparatus.

FIG. 19 is a partial plan view of the firearm support apparatus with thefirearm with the firearm secured to the firearm support apparatus.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans willappreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicityand clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help to improve understanding of variousembodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understoodelements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasibleembodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a lessobstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but ismade merely for the purpose of describing the general principles ofexemplary embodiments. The scope of the invention should be determinedwith reference to the claims.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details areprovided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of theinvention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, thatthe invention can be practiced without one or more of the specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of theinvention.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a firearm supportapparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention isshown. Shown are a support plate 102, a barrel edge 104, a magazine edge106, a front edge 108, a rear edge 110, a top face 112, a plurality ofbottom legs 114, a plurality of top legs 116, a front top frameprojection 118, a rear top frame projection 120, a center top frameprojection 122, a slide lock lever cutout 124, a thumb safety cutout126, a frame takedown lever cutout 128, a first boss cutout 130, a searhousing pin cutout 132, a magazine release cutout 134, a second bosscutout 136, a top striker holder 138, a bottom striker holder 140, a toptrigger holder 142, a plurality of cutout perimeter walls 144 144, aplurality of honeycomb walls 146, a plurality of edge perimeter walls148, and a magazine edge notch 150.

The firearm support apparatus 100 includes the support plate 102. In thepreferred embodiment, the support plate 102 is oriented with a plane ofthe support plate 102 generally parallel to a plane of an externalsupport, for example, a table or workbench. The support plate 102 isgenerally rectangular prism-shaped, with length and width dimensionsparallel to the plane of the external support, and a thickness dimensionperpendicular to the plane of the external support. In the preferredembodiment, the length×width×thickness dimensions are approximately7″×4″×1.525″. Each support plate 102 corner is rounded in the directionperpendicular to the plane of the external support, to a diameter ofapproximately ¼″.

In the preferred embodiment the support plate 102 comprises high-densitypolymer plastic, although other materials suitable for providingadequate support for a firearm 1300 during maintenance tasks may also beused.

The support plate 102 includes the top face 112 facing upwards in FIG.1, and a bottom face facing downwards in FIG. 1 (not shown).

The support plate 102 includes four edges perpendicular to the externalsupport: the barrel edge 104, the magazine edge 106, the front edge 108,and the rear edge 110. When the firearm 1300 is coupled to the firearmsupport apparatus 100 (as shown below in FIGS. 9, 10), the barrel edge104 is proximate to a barrel 1302 of the firearm 1300, the magazine edge106 is proximate to a bottom end of a magazine 1306 of the firearm 1300,the front edge 108 is proximate to an end of the barrel 1302, and therear edge 110 is proximate to a back strap 1308 of the firearm 1300.

In the preferred embodiment, the support plate 102 is generallysymmetric with respect to a horizontal centerline of the support plate102. While, for identification and clarification purposes, the FIG. 1upward-facing face of the support plate 102 is referred to as the “top”face and a downward-facing face of the support plate 102 is referred toas the “bottom” face, those of ordinary skill in the art will note thatthe support plate 102 may also be utilized in the orientation with the“top” face facing downward and the “bottom” face facing upward, as shownbelow in FIG. 2.

Four bottom legs 114 are coupled to the bottom face 200 of the supportplate 102. Each bottom leg 114 is located proximate to one corner of thesupport plate 102. In the preferred embodiment, the bottom legs 114 arecomprised of the same material as and integrally coupled to the supportplate 102. The bottom legs 114 are generally tubular, with anapproximate wall thickness of 1/16″. The bottom legs 114 include aperimeter shape configured to align with and form a continuous surfacewith the proximate rounded corner of the support plate 102

The top legs 116 extend upward from the top face 112, and in all otheraspects are configured similarly to the bottom legs 114.

The support plate 102 further includes three top frame projectionsextending upward from the top face 112: the front top frame projection118, the center top frame projection 122 and the rear top frameprojection 120. The front top frame projection 118 and rear top frameprojection 120 are located proximate to the barrel edge 104 and arespaced at approximate ⅓ points along the barrel edge 104, with the fronttop frame projection 118 located proximate to the front edge 108, andthe rear top frame projection 120 located proximate to the rear edge110. The front top frame projection 118 and the rear top frameprojection 120 are integrally coupled to the support plate 102 andextent upward in a generally perpendicular direction from the top face112. The height of the front top frame projection 118 and the rear topframe projection 120 match the height of the top legs 116. The front topframe projection 118 and the rear top frame projection 120 are describedfurther below in FIGS. 9, 10.

The center top frame projection 122 extends outward from the top face112 at a support plate 102 location approximately equidistant from thefront edge 108 and the rear edge 110, and located between the slide locklever cutout 124 and the barrel edge 104. The center top frameprojection 122 is pipe-shaped and the height of the center top frameprojection 122 matches the height of the top legs 116.

The support plate 102 further includes a plurality of interior cutouts124, 126, 130, 132, 134, 136. The interior cutouts 124, 126, 130, 132,134, 136 extend through the entire support plate 102 thickness.

The thumb safety cutout 126 is located proximate to the barrel edge 104and the rear edge 110. The thumb safety cutout 126 is asymmetricallyshaped, as it is configured to accommodate a thumb safety 1900 of thefirearm 1300 in either a safe position 1902 or a fire position 1904. Thethumb safety cutout 126 is also configured to provide access to a searhousing block coil pin proximate to the thumb safety 1900. In thepresent embodiment, the thumb safety cutout 126 is a modified righttriangle shape, forming a right angle parallel to the front edge 108 andthe magazine edge 106, and the hypotenuse sloping from proximate to thebarrel edge 104 to proximate to the rear edge 110.

Proximate to the thumb safety cutout 126 on a front edge 108 side of thethumb safety cutout 126 is the slide lock lever cutout 124. The slidelock lever cutout 124 is generally rectangular-shaped with roundedcorners. The slide lock lever cutout 124 is located proximate to thebarrel edge 104 and to an edge of the thumb safety cutout 126 proximateto the front edge 108.

Between the slide lock lever cutout 124 and the front edge 108 is theframe takedown lever cutout 128. The frame takedown lever cutout 128 isgenerally rectangular-shaped with rounded corners. The frame takedownlever cutout 128 is located proximate to the barrel edge 104 and thefront edge 108 in a location to align with a slide lock lever of thefirearm 1300 when the firearm 1300 is coupled to the firearm supportapparatus 100.

The support plate 102 further includes the first boss cutout 130. Thefirst boss cutout 130 is located proximate to the rear edge 110 andapproximately equidistant from the barrel edge 104 and the magazine edge106. The first boss cutout 130 is oblong in shape, with an edgeproximate to the magazine edge 106 angled towards a corner of the rearedge 110 and the magazine edge 106. The first boss cutout 130 isconfigured to receive a first moveable boss 300, as described below inFIG. 3.

The support plate 102 further includes the sear housing pin cutout 132,located proximate to an edge of the first boss cutout 130 proximate tothe front edge 108 and an edge of the slide lock lever cutout 124proximate to the magazine edge 106 in the direction of the front edge108. The sear housing pin cutout 132 is oblong in shape, and configuredto provide access to a sear housing pin 1400 of the firearm 1300 whenthe firearm 1300 is coupled to the firearm support apparatus 100.

The magazine release cutout 134 is located proximate to the sear housingpin cutout 132, in a direction towards the front edge 108. The magazinerelease cutout 134 is an approximately triangular shape with roundedcorners, and configured to accommodate a magazine release 1404 of thefirearm 1300 when the firearm 1300 is coupled to the firearm supportapparatus 100.

The second boss cutout 136 is generally located between the magazinerelease cutout 134 and the magazine edge 106. The second boss cutout 136is oblong in shape, and configured to receive a second moveable boss302, as described further below in FIG. 3. An edge of the second bosscutout 136 proximate to the magazine edge 106 is angled towards a cornerof the front edge 108 and the magazine edge 106.

The top striker holder 138 is located proximate to the front edge 108approximately midway between the barrel edge 104 and the magazine edge106. The top striker holder 138 is integrally coupled to the supportplate 102 and extends upward in a generally perpendicular direction tomatch the height of the top legs 116. The top striker holder 138 isdescribed further below in FIG. 11.

The bottom striker holder 140 is described below in FIGS. 2, 12.

The top trigger holder 142 includes a front top trigger wall 1600 and arear top trigger wall 1602, and is described below in FIG. 16. A firsttrigger hole 210 and a second trigger hole 212 are located in thesupport plate 102 between the front top trigger wall 1600 and the reartop trigger wall 1602 and are described further below in FIG. 16.

Additionally, a plurality of cutout perimeter walls 144, honeycomb walls146, and edge perimeter walls 148 are shown on the support plate 102.The cutout perimeter walls 144 are continuously coupled to and areintegral to the support plate 102, and extend outward past the top face112 and the bottom face 200 at the perimeter of the cutouts, at allcutout 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136 locations. Heights of thecutout perimeter walls 144 vary, with the typical height of the cutoutperimeter walls 144 approximately 3/16″.

The honeycomb walls 146 are also continuously coupled to and areintegral to the support plate 102. The honeycomb walls 146 projectupward from the support plate 102, with the honeycomb walls 146 orientedapproximately perpendicular to the plane of the support plate 102. Thehoneycomb walls 146 project approximately 3/16″ from the face of thesupport plate 102. The honeycomb walls 146 are configured to form ageneral honeycomb pattern on the top face 112.

The edge perimeter walls 148 extend outward from the top face 112 andthe bottom face 200 at the front edge 108, the rear edge 110, the barreledge 104 and the magazine edge 106. The edge perimeter walls 148 projectapproximately 3/16″ from the face of the support plate 102.

The edge perimeter wall 148 at the magazine edge 106 includes themagazine edge notch 150 in the magazine edge 106 edge perimeter wall 148proximate to the top face 112. The magazine edge notch 150 extends tothe top face 112 of the support plate 102. The magazine edge notch 150extends approximately 9/16″ along the length of the magazine edge 106towards the rear edge 110, starting from the edge of the top leg 116distal to the front edge 108.

With the exception of the cutout perimeter walls 144 surrounding theboss cutouts 130, 136, and the magazine edge notch 150, the cutoutperimeter walls 144 and honeycomb walls 146 vary in height to match thecontours of an exterior surface of the firearm 1300. The cutoutperimeter walls 144 of the boss cutouts 130, 136 are typically ofuniform height in order to provide a sliding surface for the moveablebosses 300, 302 (as described further below in FIGS. 3, 4, 8), butportions of the cutout perimeter walls 144 of the moveable bosses 300,302 may vary from the typical height if those portion are not requiredfor the sliding surface.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the support plate 102 is configured tosupport and secure the firearm 1300 to the firearm support apparatus 100in a horizontal position in conjunction with the plurality of moveablebosses 300, 302, as shown below in FIGS. 13, 14. Securing the firearm1300 in the horizontal position provides improved access to the firearm1300 during assembly, disassembly and maintenance. Each face 112, 200 ofthe support plate 102 is configured to support the firearm 1300 suchthat each face 112, 200 of the firearm 1300 may be accessible whencoupled to the firearm support apparatus 100. In the present embodiment,the top face 112 and the bottom face 200 are each configured to supportthe same firearm 1300 body shape, but it should be noted that the topface 112 and the bottom face 200 may alternately be configured toaccommodate different firearm 1300 body shapes.

The support plate 102, the legs 114, 116, the walls 144, 146, 148, theprojections 118, 120, 122, and the holders 138, 140, 142, 208 arecomprised of high-density polymer plastic. The high-density polymerplastic provides suitable strength and rigidity for securing the firearm1300 to the firearm support apparatus 100 and for supporting the firearm1300 during impact maintenance tasks, such as hammering out of at leastone firearm 1300 pin. In the present embodiment, the support plate 102and all components integral to the support plate 102 are formed byinjection molding, but it should be noted that additional methods offorming the support plate 102 and integral components, for examplemachining, may be used.

The plurality of top legs 116 and bottom legs 114 are coupled to thesupport plate 102. When the top face 112 faces upwards and the firearm1300 is placed on the support plate 102, the bottom legs 114 provideclearance between the firearm 1300 and the external support to allow forat least one firearm 1300 pin to fall to the external support whenpushed from above. Similarly, when the bottom face 200 faces upwards,the top legs 116 provide firearm 1300 pin clearance when the firearm1300 is coupled to the bottom face 200.

The legs 114, 116 are hollow, as described above, in order to providesufficient strength to support the firearm 1300 during maintenance whileusing a minimum of material.

The support plate 102 includes the front top frame projection 118 andthe rear top frame projection 120 near the barrel edge 104 of thesupport plate 102. The front top frame projection 118 and the rear topframe projection 120 are juxtaposed with the barrel 1302 of the firearm1300 and restrain the firearm 1300 from moving in the direction of thebarrel edge 104 when the firearm 1300 is supported by the top face 112of the support plate 102. The front top frame projection 118 and therear top frame projection 120 also provide rigidity and support to thefirearm support apparatus 100 when the bottom face 200 is upwards.

The center top frame projection 122 provides additional rigidity andsupport to the support plate 102 during firearm 1300 maintenance whenthe bottom face 200 is facing upwards.

The thumb safety 1900 projects from a side of the firearm 1300. Thethumb safety cutout 126 provides the necessary clearance around thethumb safety 1900 so that the firearm 1300 may be supported in thehorizontal position on the firearm support apparatus 100. The thumbsafety cutout 126 also allows for access to the thumb safety 1900 fromthe opposite side of the firearm support apparatus 100, i.e. when thefirearm 1300 is coupled to the top face 112 and the thumb safety 1900 isproximate to the top face 112, the thumb safety 1900 is accessiblethrough the thumb safety cutout 126 when the firearm support apparatus100 is rotated such that the bottom face 200 faces upwards.

The thumb safety cutout 126 is shaped to provide clearance for the thumbsafety 1900 when the thumb safety 1900 is in both a fire position 1904and a safe position 1902, as shown below in FIG. 19. The thumb safetycutout 126 is also shaped to provide access to at least one firearm 1300pin proximate to the thumb safety 1900.

Similarly to the thumb safety cutout 126, the slide lock lever cutout124 is configured to provide clearance for a slide lock lever of thefirearm 1300 when the firearm 1300 is coupled to the firearm supportapparatus.

The first boss cutout 130 is located proximate to the rear edge 110 ofthe support plate 102 and provides a first attachment and slidingadjustment area for the first moveable boss 300. The second boss cutout136, located proximate to a midpoint of the magazine edge 106, providesa second attachment and sliding adjustment area for the second moveableboss 302. The first and second moveable bosses 300, 302 are used toprovide demountable coupling of the firearm 1300 to the firearm supportapparatus 100 and also to allow for coupling of different sizes andshapes of firearms 1300. The attachment and adjustment of the first andsecond moveable bosses 300, 302 are shown below in FIGS. 3-4, 13.

The sear housing pin cutout 132 located proximate to the first bosscutout 130 and the thumb safety cutout 126 is configured to provideclearance and access for the sear housing pin 1400 of the firearm 1300to be removed from the firearm 1300 when the firearm 1300 is coupled tothe firearm support apparatus 100.

The magazine release cutout 134 proximate to the second moveable boss302 is configured to provides access allowing the magazine release 1404of the firearm 1300 when the firearm 1300 is coupled to the supportplate 102 and the magazine release 1404 of the firearm 1300 is proximateto the top face 112 of the support plate 102.

The top striker holder 138 supports a striker 1500 of the firearm 1300in a generally vertical position, when the striker 1500 has been removedfrom the firearm 1300. In addition, the top striker holder 138 isconfigured and located such that a portion of a curved exterior surfaceof the top striker holder 138 is juxtaposed with a concave intersectionof the barrel 1302 and a firearm trigger guard 1304 when the firearm1300 is coupled to the firearm support apparatus 100, providingadditional horizontal restraint of the firearm 1300. In addition, theheight of the top striker holder 138 matches the height of the top legs116 such that the top striker holder 138 provides additional support andrigidity to the support plate 102 when the bottom face 200 is facingupwards.

In the present embodiment, the top striker holder 138 is configured forthe striker of a 0.45 ACP pistol, but it will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art that the top striker holder 138 may be modifiedfor other makes and models of firearms. The use of the top strikerholder 138 is described further below in FIG. 15.

The top trigger holder 142 includes the front top trigger wall 1600 andthe rear top trigger wall 1602 for demountably coupling a trigger 1800of the firearm 1300 to the support plate 102, in a generally horizontalposition, when the trigger 1800 is removed during disassembly ormaintenance. A first trigger hole 210 and a second trigger hole 212included in the support plate 102 (not shown) are located between thefront top trigger wall 1600 and the rear top trigger wall 1602,configured to permit removal of a first trigger pin 1802 and a secondtrigger pin 1804 from the trigger 1800 when the trigger 1800 is coupledto the firearm support apparatus 100. The top trigger holder 142 and thetrigger holes 210, 212 are described further below in FIG. 12.

The plurality of cutout perimeter walls 144, edge perimeter walls 148,and honeycomb walls 146 provide additional stiffness and rigidity to thesupport plate 102. Those skilled in the art will note that in lieu of athinner support plate 102 including cutout perimeter walls 144,honeycomb walls 146, and edge perimeter walls 148, a thicker supportplate 102 would also be suitable. The cutout perimeter walls 144 andhoneycomb walls 146 are shorter than the typical wall height whererequired to provide support for varying surface contours of the firearm1300.

The magazine edge 106 includes the magazine edge notch 150. The magazineedge notch 150 provides clearance for a trigger bar 1806 when thetrigger bar is

Referring next to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the firearm supportapparatus 100, with the bottom face 200 facing upwards, is shownaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Shown are thesupport plate 102, the barrel edge 104, the magazine edge 106, the frontedge 108, the rear edge 110, the plurality of bottom legs 114, theplurality of top legs 116, the slide lock lever cutout 124, the thumbsafety cutout 126, the frame takedown lever cutout 128, the first bosscutout 130, the sear housing pin cutout 132, the magazine release cutout134, the second boss cutout 136, the bottom striker holder 140, theplurality of cutout perimeter walls 144, the plurality of honeycombwalls 146, the plurality of edge perimeter walls 148, the magazine edgenotch 150, the bottom face 200, a front bottom frame projection 202, arear bottom frame projection 204, a center bottom frame projection 206,a bottom trigger holder 208, a first trigger hole 210, and a secondtrigger hole 212.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support plate 102 is oriented so that the topface 112 faces downward and the bottom face 200 faces upward. Thesupport plate 102 is generally symmetrical about the horizontalcenterline of the support plate 102. Thus, the features and cutouts asdescribed in FIG. 1 are also present in FIG. 2 in a mirroredconfiguration. Exceptions to support plate 102 symmetry include thebottom striker holder 140 (as described below in FIG. 12), the bottomtrigger holder 208 (as described below in FIG. 17), and the presence ofthe magazine edge notch 150. The symmetry of the support plate 102allows the firearm support apparatus 100 to be used with either the topface 112 facing upward or the bottom face 200 facing upwards.Additionally, variations in the geometry of the bottom striker holder140 and the bottom trigger holder 208 allow for multiple types oftriggers and strikers to be supported by the same firearm supportapparatus 100.

In addition, the symmetry allows for the firearm 1300 to be restrainedon the support plate 102 with one face facing upwards, and the firearmsupport apparatus 100 then rotated so that the opposite face is facingupwards. This allows some of the cutouts, for example the slide locklever cutout 124 and the magazine release cutout 134, to provide accessto portions of the firearm 1300 for assembly, maintenance ordisassembly.

Referring next to FIG. 3, a perspective view of the firearm supportapparatus 100 including exploded views of the first moveable boss 300and the second moveable boss 302 is shown. Shown are the support plate102, the top face 112, the first boss cutout 130, the second boss cutout136, the first moveable boss 300, the second moveable boss 302, a firsttop cylinder 304, a first bottom cylinder 306, a first bolt 308, a firstnut 310, a second top cylinder 312, a second bottom cylinder 314, asecond bolt 316, a second nut 318, a first bolt head 320, a first boltshaft 322, a second bolt head 324, and a second bolt shaft 326.

The first moveable boss 300 includes the first top cylinder 304, thefirst bottom cylinder 306, the first bolt 308 and the first nut 310. Inthe present embodiment, the first top cylinder 304 and the first bottomcylinder 306 are identical, and are described below in FIGS. 5-7.

The first top cylinder 304 and the first bottom cylinder 306 eachinclude the bolt hole 512, as described further below in FIGS. 5-8.

The first bolt 308 includes the first bolt head 320 and the first boltshaft 322. In the present embodiment, the first bolt head 320 ishexagonal and configured to snugly fit within the perimeter of ahexagonal cavity 504 of the first top cylinder 304, as shown below inFIG. 8. The first bolt shaft 322 is threaded and is configured to passthrough the bolt hole 512. The first nut 310 is sized to threadablycouple with an end of the first bolt shaft 322. As shown, the first bolt308 passes through the first top cylinder 304 such that the first boltshaft 322 passes through the bolt hole 512 of the first top cylinder 304and the first bolt head 320 is coupled to a cylinder base 510. The firstbolt shaft 322 then passes through the first boss cutout 130 and throughthe bolt hole 512 of the first bottom cylinder 306. The first nut 310 isthen threadably coupled to the end of the first bolt shaft 322,sandwiching the support plate 102 between the first top cylinder 304 andthe first bottom cylinder 306.

In a similar manner, the support plate 102 is sandwiched between thesecond top cylinder 312 and the second bottom cylinder 314 at the secondboss cutout 136, using the threaded second bolt 316 and the second nut318.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the exploded view illustrates the formationof the first moveable boss 300 by the coupling of the first top cylinder304 to the first bottom cylinder 306 using the first bolt 308 and firstnut 310, and the formation of the second moveable boss 302 by thecoupling of the second top cylinder 312 to the second bottom cylinder314 using the second bolt 316 and the second nut 318. The use of abolt-and-nut system allows for adjustability of tightness of themoveable boss 300, 302 against the support plate 102, allowing themoveable boss 300, 302 to be loosened for slidability or tightened tosecure the moveable boss 300, 302 to the support plate 102 in a fixedlocation for securing the firearm 1300 to the firearm support apparatus100.

The usage of the top cylinder 304, 312 and the bottom cylinder 306, 314allows for both a means for adjusting the tightness of the moveable boss300, 302 and for the firearm support apparatus 100 to be used witheither the top face 112 upwards with the top cylinders 304, 312juxtaposed with the firearm 1300, or the bottom face 200 upwards withthe bottom cylinders 306, 314 juxtaposed with the firearm 1300.

Referring next to FIG. 4, a perspective view of the firearm supportapparatus 100 is shown in one embodiment of the present invention. Shownare the support plate 102, the first boss cutout 130, the second bosscutout 136, the plurality of cutout perimeter walls 144, the firstmoveable boss 300, the second moveable boss 302, the first top cylinder304, the first bottom cylinder 306, the second top cylinder 312, thesecond bottom cylinder 314, and the second bolt 316.

The first moveable boss 300 and the second moveable boss 302 are showncoupled to the support plate 102. The support plate 102 is shown withthe top face 112 facing upwards when the firearm support apparatus 100is supported by the external support.

As previously described in FIG. 3, the first moveable boss 300 iscoupled to the support plate 102 such that the first moveable boss 300slides across a portion of the support plate 102 when the coupling isloosened, but is frictionally coupled to the support plate 102 when thefirst bolt 308 is tightened. The first moveable boss 300 has a range ofslidable movement limited by the contact of the first bolt shaft 322with an edge of the first boss cutout 130. The sliding of the firstmoveable boss 300 allows for the first moveable boss 300 to be slid awayfrom the firearm 1300 when the firearm 1300 is supported by the supportplate 102, providing clearance for the firearm 1300 to be placed on thesupport plate 102. Advantageously, while the first moveable boss 300 isadjustable, the first moveable boss 300 remains coupled to the supportplate 102 as a result of the first bolt 308 passing through the firstboss cutout 130, preventing misplacement of the first moveable boss 300.

After the firearm 1300 is placed on the top face 112, the first moveableboss 300 is then slid to juxtapose the curved side of the first topcylinder 304 of the first moveable boss 300 with a concave portion ofthe firearm 1300 where a rear portion of a grip meets a back strap 1308.The first bolt 308 is then tightened, frictionally coupling the firstmoveable boss 300 to the support plate 102. The extent of the first bosscutout 130 allows for sliding adjustments to be made to secure differenttypes and configurations of firearms. The coupling of the first moveableboss 300 to the firearm support apparatus 100 is described further belowin FIG. 8.

Similarly to the first moveable boss 300, the second moveable boss 302is coupled to the support plate 102 at the second boss cutout 136 suchthat the second moveable boss 302 slides across a portion of the supportplate 102 when the coupling is loosened, but is frictionally coupled tothe support plate 102 when the second bolt 316 is tightened. The secondmoveable boss 302 has a range of slidable movement limited by thecontact of the second bolt shaft 326 with the edge of the second bosscutout 136. The sliding of the second moveable boss 302 allows for thesecond moveable boss 302 to be slid away from the firearm 1300 along theplane of the support plate 102 when the firearm 1300 is supported by thesupport plate 102, providing clearance for the firearm 1300 to be placedon the support plate 102. As with the first moveable boss 300, while thesecond moveable boss 302 is adjustable, the second moveable boss 302remains coupled to the support plate 102 as a result of the second bolt316 passing through the second boss cutout 136, preventing misplacementof the second moveable boss 302.

Referring next to FIG. 5, a plan view of the first top cylinder 304 isshown. In the present embodiment, the first bottom cylinder 306, thesecond top cylinder 312 and the second bottom cylinder 314 are identicalto the first top cylinder 304. Shown are a cylinder perimeter wall 500,a hexagonal wall 502, the hexagonal cavity 504, a plurality of verticalribs 506, a plurality of outer ridges 508, the cylinder base 510, and abolt hole 512.

In plan view, the cylinder perimeter wall 500 is approximatelypipe-shaped. An outer diameter of the perimeter wall 500 is configuredto be supported by at least two opposite edges of the corresponding bosscutout 130, 136. A height of the cylinder perimeter wall 500 isapproximately ½″.

The interior hexagonal wall 502 is concentric with the cylinderperimeter wall 500, and matches the height of the perimeter wall 500.The interior hexagonal wall 502 surrounding the hexagonal cavity 504 ofthe first top cylinder 304 is configured to snugly fit both thehexagonal first bolt head 320 and the first bolt 308. The plurality ofinterior vertical ribs 506 connects the cylinder perimeter wall 500 tothe hexagonal wall 502, and matches the height of the perimeter wall500. In the embodiment shown, the first top cylinder 304 includes sixinterior vertical ribs 506. Each vertical rib 506 is coupled to thehexagonal wall 502 at one end and to the perimeter wall 500 at the otherend. The vertical ribs 506 are coupled to the hexagonal wall 502 at thehexagonal wall 502 vertex locations.

The cylinder perimeter wall 500 includes the plurality of outer ridges508. The outer ridges 508 are vertical indentations in an outer surfaceof the first top cylinder 304 that result in a corrugation of the outersurface of the first top cylinder 304. In the embodiment shown, theouter ridges 508 extend from a top face 112 of the first top cylinder304 to approximately 1/16″ from the bottom face 200 of the first topcylinder 304.

The cylinder base 510 of the first top cylinder 304 is disc-shaped andextends to the cylindrical outer surface of the first top cylinder 304.The cylinder base 510 is integrally coupled to the perimeter wall 500,the hexagonal wall 502, and the plurality of interior vertical ribs 506.

The bolt hole 512 is a circular hole in the base 510 and is configuredto allow the first bolt shaft 322 to pass through the bolt hole 512while providing enough surface of the base 510 to couple the bolt headto the base 510. The bolt hole 512 is concentric with the cylinderperimeter wall 500.

Referring again to FIG. 5, a detailed plan view of the first topcylinder 304 is shown. For simplification of manufacturing and of usage,the moveable bosses 300, 302 are configured to use identical,interchangeable cylinders. It should be noted that other embodiments mayinclude differing top and bottom cylinders and differing first bosscylinders and second boss cylinders. A diameter of the cylinderperimeter wall 500 is large enough to be supported by both edges of thefirst boss cutout 130 regardless of the position of the first bolt shaft322 relative to the edge of the first boss cutout 130. The diameter ofthe cylinder perimeter wall 500 is also configured to provide a seat forthe first bolt head 320.

The hexagonal wall 502 is shaped so that the interior face of thehexagonal wall 502 snugly fits both the first bolt head 320 and an outerperimeter of the first nut 310. The snug fitting restrains the firstbolt head 320 and the first nut 310 from rotating with respect to thefirst top cylinder 304 or the first bottom cylinder 306 when eitherfirst cylinder 304, 306 is rotated, allowing the first moveable boss 300to be easily loosened or tightened without removing the moveable boss300 from the support plate 102.

The interior vertical ribs 506 provide additional rigidity to the firsttop cylinder 304 while decreasing the amount of material used in thefirst top cylinder 304. Those skilled in the art will note that thenumber and size of ribs 506 may be altered, or the first top cylinder304 may be solid except for the hexagonal cavity 504.

The outer ridges 508 provide a gripping surface to assist a user whilerotating the first top cylinder 304, and also provide a gripping surfacefor the frictional coupling of the first top cylinder 304 to the firearm1300.

The bolt hole 512 provides access for the first bolt shaft 322 to passthrough the first top cylinder 304 with the first bolt head 320 coupledto the portion of the base 510 surrounding the cylinder.

It should be noted that while the first moveable boss 300 is describedin FIG. 5, the description applies equally to the second moveable boss302.

Referring next to FIG. 6, a plan view of the bottom face 200 of thefirst top cylinder 304 is shown. Shown are the the cylinder perimeterwall 500, the hexagonal wall 502, the plurality of vertical ribs 506,the plurality of outer ridges 508, the cylinder base 510, the bolt hole512, and a base bottom face 600.

The base bottom face 600 is visible in FIG. 6. The cylinder perimeterwall 500, the hexagonal wall 502 and the interior vertical ribs 506 arenot visible, but are indicated by the hidden lines in FIG. 6. The bolthole 512 as described above in FIG. 5 is also shown. The outer ridges508 are shown as previously described in FIG. 5.

The base bottom face 600 is smooth, to allow for sliding across thecutout perimeter walls 144 of the boss cutouts 130, 136 for moveableboss 300, 302 adjustment, as described further below in FIGS. 8, 9.

Referring next to FIG. 7, a cross-sectional diagram of the first topcylinder 304 in one embodiment of the invention is shown. Shown are thecylinder perimeter wall 500, the hexagonal wall 502, the hexagonalcavity 504, the plurality of vertical ribs 506, the cylinder base 510,the bolt hole 512, and the cylinder centerline 700.

As noted previously, the first bottom cylinder 306, the second topcylinder 312, and the second bottom cylinder 314 are geometricallyidentical to the first top cylinder 304. As previously described inFIGS. 5 and 6, the perimeter wall 500 and hexagonal wall 502 extend theentire height of the first top cylinder 304 and are integrally coupledto the base bottom face 600. In the section shown in FIG. 7, thecylinder perimeter wall 500 is shown in cross-section, and the hexagonalwall 502 is shown partly in cross-section and partly in elevation.

Two interior vertical ribs 506 are seen in elevation in the section, andone vertical rib 506 is shown as being located beyond the hexagonal wall502. The vertical ribs 506 are as previously described in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The bolt hole 512 is shown located in the cylinder base 510, aspreviously described in FIGS. 5 and 6. The cylinder centerline 700 isshown at the vertical center of symmetry of the cross-section.

Referring again to FIG. 7, as previously stated the hexagonal cavity 504is shaped to provide the snug seat for the first bolt head 320 and thefirst nut 310, as shown below in FIG. 8. A plurality of perimetercavities formed by the vertical ribs 506 reduce the amount of materialused in manufacturing of the first top cylinder 304, while stillproviding the necessary stiffness and rigidity of the first top cylinder304 to frictionally couple the cylinder to the firearm 1300.

Referring next to FIG. 8, a cross-sectional diagram showing the firstmoveable boss 300 as installed on the support plate 102 is shown. Shownare the support plate 102, the top face 112, the cutout perimeter wall144, the bottom face 200, the first top cylinder 304, the first bottomcylinder 306, the first bolt 308, the first nut 310, the first bolt head320, and the cylinder centerline 700.

As previously described, the first top cylinder 304 is coupled to thefirst bottom cylinder 306 using the first bolt 308 and the first nut310. The bottom face 200 of the base 510 of the first top cylinder 304is juxtaposed with the perimeter wall of the first boss cutout 130extending outward from the top face 112 of the support plate 102. Thefirst bolt 308 is passed through the bolt hole 512 in the first topcylinder 304 so that the first bolt head 320 is rotationally restrainedby the hexagonal wall 502 of the first top cylinder 304, and the firstbolt shaft 322 passes through the bolt hole 512 of the first topcylinder 304 and through the first boss cutout 130.

The base bottom face 600 of the first bottom cylinder 306 is juxtaposedwith the first boss cutout 130 perimeter wall extending outward from thebottom face 200 of the support plate 102. The first bolt shaft 322passes through the bolt hole 512 of the first bottom cylinder 306 andextends into hexagonal cavity 504 of the first bottom cylinder 306. Tocouple the first moveable boss 300 to the support plate 102, the firstnut 310 is placed in the hexagonal cavity 504 of the first bottomcylinder 306 such that a hole of the first nut 310 is juxtaposed withthe end of the first bolt shaft 322. The first nut 310 is threaded on tothe end of the first bolt shaft 322 by holding the first top cylinder304 motionless and rotating the first bottom cylinder 306, thusthreading the first nut 310 onto the first bolt shaft 322 and couplingthe first moveable boss 300 to the support plate 102.

Continued rotating of the first bottom cylinder 306 draws the firstbottom cylinder 306 closer to the first top cylinder 304 untiljuxtaposition of the bottom face 200 of each first cylinder 304, 306with the cutout perimeter walls 144 prevents further rotation andfrictionally couples the first moveable boss 300 to the support plate102. Rotating of the first bottom cylinder 306 in the opposite directionseparates the first cylinders 304, 306, allowing for sliding of thefirst moveable boss 300 relative to the support plate 102. Furtherrotating of the first bottom cylinder 306 detaches the first nut 310from the first bolt 308. It should be noted that alternately the firsttop cylinder 304 may be rotated with respect to the first bottomcylinder 306, or both first cylinders 304, 306 may be rotatedsimultaneously in opposite directions, to obtain the same result.

The installation, tightening and loosening of the first moveable boss300 to the support plate 102 applies equally to the second moveable boss302, utilizing instead the second top cylinder 312, the second bottomcylinder 314, the second bolt 316, and the second nut 318 in lieu of thefirst top cylinder 304, the first bottom cylinder 306, the first bolt308 and the first nut 310.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the cross-section illustrates how firstmoveable boss 300 is coupled to the support plate 102. The embodimentshown allows for the first moveable boss 300 to be disassembled andremoved from the support plate 102, to be moved to various positionsalong the support plate 102, and to be frictionally restrained on thesupport plate 102.

When the first top cylinder 304 and the first bottom cylinder 306 arecoupled using the first bolt 308 and the first nut 310, with the firstbolt shaft 322 passing through the first boss cutout 130, the firstmoveable boss 300 may be adjusted to various positions relative to thesupport plate 102 by sliding the first moveable boss 300 in a directionparallel to the horizontal plane of the support plate 102. The extent ofthe adjustment is limited by the first bolt 308 being surrounded by thecutout perimeter walls 144 of the first boss cutout 130.

As a result, the first moveable boss 300 may be slidingly moved so thata portion of the outer surface of the first top cylinder 304, or aportion of the outer surface of the first bottom cylinder 306, isjuxtaposed with a portion of a firearm 1300, and then tightened tosecure the firearm 1300 to the support plate 102, as shown further belowin FIG. 13.

The adjustment capacity of the first moveable boss 300 also accommodatesdifferent models and types of firearms 1300. To remove the firearm 1300from the block, the first moveable boss 300 is loosened and slid awayfrom the firearm 1300. In the current embodiment, the moveable bosses300, 302 and the boss cutouts 130, 136 are configured to secure Smithand Wesson Semi-Automatic M&P pistols and Glock Semi-Automatic Pistols,but those skilled in the art will note that the invention may bemodified to accommodate additional makes and models of firearms 1300.

Referring next to FIG. 9, a plan view of the front top frame projection118 of the firearm support apparatus 100 is shown. Shown are the supportplate 102, the front top frame projection 118, a front top frameprojection cylinder 900, two front top frame projection flukes 902, anda front top frame projection top face 904.

The front top frame projection 118 includes the vertical front top frameprojection cylinder 900 and the two front top frame projection flukes902. Each front top frame projection fluke 902 is coupled to both a sideof the top frame projection cylinder and a front top frame projectiontop face 904. The two front top frame projection flukes 902 are orientedso that when the front top frame projection top face 904 is viewed, thetwo front top frame projection flukes 902 form an approximate obtuseisosceles triangle, with an apex at the front top frame projection topface 904 and a triangle base integrally coupled to the top face 112. Thefront top frame projection flukes 902 are oriented at an approximately45 degree angle with respect to the barrel edge 104.

Referring again to FIG. 9, the front top frame projection 118 isconfigured to juxtapose with the top of the barrel 1302 when the firearm1300 is coupled to the firearm support apparatus 100. The front topframe projection cylinder 900 diameter is configured to provide a narrowpoint of contact between the front top frame projection 118 and thefirearm 1300. The front top frame projection flukes 902 provide rigidityto the front top frame projection cylinder 900 in a direction normal tothe barrel edge 104.

Referring next to FIG. 10, a plan view of the rear top frame projection120 of the firearm support apparatus is shown. Shown are the supportplate 102, the rear top frame projection 120, the rear top frameprojection cylinder 1000, the two rear top frame projection flukes 1002,the rear top frame projection top face 1004, and the rear top frameprojection notch 1006.

The rear top frame projection 120 is similar in geometry to the fronttop frame projection 118, with the exception that the rear top frameprojection cylinder 1000 includes the approximately semicircular reartop frame projection notch 1006 in the rear top frame projection topface 1004, distal to the barrel edge 104.

Referring again to FIG. 10, the rear top frame projection 120 isconfigured to juxtapose with the top of the barrel 1302 when the firearm1300 is coupled to the firearm support apparatus 100. The rear top frameprojection cylinder 1000 diameter is configured to provide a narrowpoint of contact between the rear top frame projection 120 and thefirearm 1300. The rear top frame projection flukes 1002 provide rigidityto the rear top frame projection cylinder 1000 in the direction normalto the barrel edge 104.

The rear top frame projection notch 1006 is configured to provideclearance for a Glock pistol disconnector tab of a firearm 1300 when thefirearm 1300 is coupled to the firearm support apparatus.

Referring next to FIG. 11, a plan view of the top striker holder 138 ofthe firearm support apparatus 100 is shown. Shown are an interiorpipe-shaped wall 1100, a striker perimeter wall 1102, a plurality ofinterior flange walls 1104, and a top striker holder notch 1106.

The interior pipe-shaped wall 1100 is integrally coupled to the supportplate 102 and the striker perimeter wall 1102, and is located so thatthe interior pipe-shaped wall 1100 coincides with the striker perimeterwall 1102 at an striker perimeter wall 1102 edge proximate to the frontedge 108(i.e., there exists only one tangent line to both the strikerperimeter wall 1102 and the interior pipe-shaped wall 1100). Theinterior pipe-shaped wall 1100 is the same height as the strikerperimeter wall 1102.

Two parallel interior flange walls 1104 integrally couple the interiorpipe-shaped wall 1100 to an edge of the striker perimeter wall 1102proximate to the rear edge 110. The interior flange walls 1104 aregenerally the same height as the striker perimeter wall 1102. Theinterior flange walls 1104 are oriented approximately parallel to themagazine edge 106, and are configured to support a striker base 1502, asshown below in FIG. 15.

A portion of the interior pipe-shaped wall 1100 is recessed, forming thetop striker holder notch 1106. The recessed portion begins at aninterior face of the interior flange wall 1104 proximate to the magazineedge 106, and continues towards the barrel edge 104 until a locationwithin the thickness of the interior flange proximate to the barrel edge104. The top striker holder notch 1106 is recessed approximately ⅛″below a top surface of the interior pipe-shaped wall 1100.

Referring again to FIG. 11, the top striker holder 138 is configured todemountably couple the striker 1500 of the firearm 1300 to the firearmsupport apparatus 100, as described further below in FIG. 15.

The top striker holder notch 1106 extends past the face of the interiorflange wall 1104 proximate to the barrel edge 104 such that the topstriker holder 138 is configured to support the striker 1500 for Smithand Wesson M&P, SD and Sigma series semi-automatic pistols, Glockpistols, and other makes and models of pistols including similarstricker configurations.

Referring next to FIG. 12, a plan view of the bottom striker holder 140of the firearm support apparatus 100 is shown. Shown are the interiorpipe-shaped wall 1100, the striker perimeter wall 1102, the plurality ofinterior flange walls 1104, and a bottom striker holder notch 1200.

The bottom striker holder 140 is a mirror image of the top strikerholder 138, with the exception of the bottom striker holder notch 1200.

The bottom striker holder notch 1200 is formed by a recessed portion ofthe interior pipe-shaped wall 1100 of the bottom striker holder 140extending from the interior face of the interior flange wall 1104proximate to the magazine edge 106 to the interior face of the interiorflange wall 1104 proximate to the barrel edge 104.

Referring again to FIG. 12, the bottom striker holder 140 is configuredto support a different striker configuration than the top striker holder138. In the present embodiment, the bottom striker holder 140 isconfigured for the striker of a 0.357 Sig pistol, a 0.40 S&W pistol, ora 9 mm S&W pistol, but it will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art that the top striker holder 138 may be modified for other makesand models of firearms 1300. The use of the bottom striker holder 140 isdescribed further below in FIG. 15.

Referring next to FIG. 13, a plan view of the firearm 1300 secured tothe firearm support apparatus 100 is shown. Shown are the support plate102, the front top frame projection 118, the rear top frame projection120, the barrel 1302, the trigger guard 1304 the magazine 1306, a backstrap 1308, and a front strap 1310.

The firearm 1300 is shown secured to the top face 112 of the firearmsupport apparatus 100. Previous to placing the firearm 1300 on thesupport plate 102, the first moveable boss 300 and the second moveableboss 302 are loosened and slid towards the magazine edge 106 so that thefirearm 1300 may be placed on the support plate 102.

The firearm 1300 is then placed horizontally on the support plate 102 sothat the portion of the curved exterior surface of the top strikerholder 138 is juxtaposed with the concave intersection of the barrel1302 and the trigger guard 1304, with the barrel 1302 crossing over thebarrel edge 104.

A top face of the barrel 1302 is restrained against movement byjuxtaposing the front and rear top frame projections 118, 120 with thetop face of the barrel 1302. The first moveable boss 300 is slid towardsthe barrel edge 104 until the curved exterior surface of the first topcylinder 304 is juxtaposed with the concave curve at the rear of thefirearm 1300 at the top of the back strap 1308. The first moveable boss300 is then tightened, as previously described in FIG. 8. The firearm1300 is then secured to the first moveable boss 300.

The second moveable boss 302 is slid towards the barrel edge 104 until acurved exterior surface of the second top cylinder 312 is juxtaposedwith the concave curve of the firearm 1300 where the trigger guard 1304meets the front strap 1310 of the firearm 1300. The second moveable boss302 is then tightened, as previously described in FIG. 8. The firearm1300 is then secured to the second moveable boss 302.

Referring again to FIG. 13, the combined restraint of the front and reartop frame projections 118, 120, the top striker holder 138, the firstmoveable boss 300, and the second moveable boss 302 results in restraintof the firearm 1300 with respect to the horizontal plane of the supportplate 102. Tightening of the first moveable boss 300 and the secondmoveable boss 302 against the firearm 1300 also provides frictionalrestraint against movement of the firearm 1300 normal to the plane ofthe support plate 102, allowing the firearm support apparatus 100 to beflipped over so that the side of the firearm 1300 proximate to the topsurface is accessible through the various cutouts 124, 126, 128, 130,132, 134, 136.

Those skilled in the art will note that alternately the firearm 1300 maybe coupled to the bottom face 200 of the support plate 102.

Referring next to FIG. 14, a plan view of the bottom face 200 of thefirearm support apparatus 100 is shown with the firearm 1300 coupled tothe top face 112 (not shown) of the firearm support apparatus 100. Shownare the support plate 102, the barrel edge 104, the magazine edge 106,the front edge 108, the rear edge 110, the slide lock lever cutout 124,the thumb safety cutout 126, the frame takedown lever cutout 128, thefirst boss cutout 130, the sear housing pin cutout 132, the magazinerelease cutout 134, the second boss cutout 136, the bottom face 200, thefirst moveable boss 300, the second moveable boss 302, the barrel 1302,the sear housing pin 1400, a frame takedown lever 1402, and the magazinerelease 1404.

The firearm 1300 is coupled to the top face 112 of the firearm supportapparatus 100 as previously described in FIG. 13. As illustrated in FIG.10, the support plate 102 cutouts as previously described in FIG. 1 areconfigured to align with portions of the firearm 1300 when the firearm1300 is coupled to the firearm support apparatus 100.

The frame takedown lever cutout 128 provides clearance for the frametakedown lever 1402 such that the firearm 1300 is horizontally supportedby the support plate 102. The reduction of height of a portion of theframe takedown lever cutout 128 perimeter wall proximate to the frametakedown lever 1402 accommodates the frame takedown lever 1402 in the“down” orientation, where the down orientation extends from the barrel1302 in the direction of the magazine edge 106 and the takedown lever isproximate to the supporting surface of the firearm support apparatus100. In addition, the frame takedown lever cutout 128 allows for removalof a trigger pivot pin and a locking block coil pin when the firearm1300 is coupled to the support plate 102.

The slide lock lever cutout 124 provides clearance around the slide locklever such that the firearm 1300 is horizontally supported by thesupport plate 102.

The thumb safety cutout 126 provides clearance for the thumb safety1900, in both the fire position 1904 and the safe position 1902, suchthat the firearm 1300 is horizontally supported by the support plate102. The thumb safety cutout 126 is described further in FIG. 19.

The sear housing pin cutout 132 provides clearance for the sear housingpin 1400 of the firearm 1300, allowing the sear housing pin 1400 to beremoved from the firearm 1300 and fall through the sear housing pincutout 132.

The magazine release cutout 134 provides clearance for the magazinerelease 1404 such that the firearm 1300 is horizontally supported by thesupport plate 102.

Referring next to FIG. 15, a perspective view of the striker 1500 of thefirearm 1300 coupled to the top striker holder 138 of the firearmsupport apparatus 100 is shown. Shown are the support plate 102, the topstriker holder 138, the striker 1500, a striker base 1502, and a spring1504.

The striker 1500 is shown coupled to the top striker holder 138. Thestriker base 1502 snugly fits within the interior pipe-shaped wall 1100,demountably coupling the striker 1500 to the top striker holder 138 in agenerally vertical orientation. The striker spring 1504 is coiled arounda top portion of the striker 1500, such that when the striker 1500 iscoupled to the top striker holder 138, the spring 1504 willautomatically be supported by the striker base 1502. Additionally, thespring 1504 may be easily removed from the striker 1500 by lifting it ina vertical direction, and replaced in the same manner. As previouslymentioned in FIGS. 1-2, 11-12, the configuration of the top strikerholder 138 and the bottom striker holder 140 are different in thepresent embodiment of the invention in order to support multiple striker1500 configurations.

Referring next to FIG. 16, a plan view of the top trigger holder 142 ofthe firearm support apparatus 100 is shown. Shown are the top strikerholder 138, the top trigger holder 142, the first trigger hole 210, thesecond trigger hole 212, a front top trigger wall 1600, a rear toptrigger wall 1602, and a front top trigger wall extension 1604.

As previously described in FIG. 1, the top trigger holder 142 includesthe front top trigger wall 1600 proximate to the front edge 108 and therear top trigger wall 1602 proximate to the rear edge 110. The front toptrigger wall 1600 is coupled to a side of the top striker holder 138proximate to the magazine edge 106, and extends towards the magazineedge 106. The front top trigger wall 1600 is configured to align with arear contour of the trigger 1800 (the rear contour referring to acontour of the trigger 1800 proximate to the magazine 1306 when thetrigger 1800 is installed on the firearm 1300).

The rear top trigger wall 1602 is shaped in a shallow C-shape and islocated proximate to the front top trigger wall 1600 in the direction ofthe rear edge 110.

The rear top trigger wall 1602 is configured to provide, in conjunctionwith the front top trigger wall 1600, demountable coupling of thetrigger 1800 between the front top trigger wall 1600 and the rear toptrigger wall 1602 when the trigger 1800 is placed horizontally on thesupport plate 102. The trigger walls 1600, 1602 are oriented so that thetrigger bar 1806 extends in the direction of the magazine edge 106, asshown below in FIG. 14.

The front top trigger wall 1600 includes the front top trigger wallextension 1604, extending from an edge of the front top trigger wall1600 proximate to the magazine edge 106. The front top trigger wallextension 1604 is configured for.

The heights of the front top trigger wall 1600 and the rear top triggerwall 1602 are configured to allow for the use of a pin punch to removepins from the trigger 1800 when the pin punch is larger in diameter thanthe width of the trigger 1800 at the pin location.

The first trigger hole 210 and the second trigger hole 212 are locatedin the support plate 102 between the front top trigger wall 1600 and therear top trigger wall 1602. The first trigger hole 210 is configured toallow for the first trigger pin 1802 to pass through the support plate102 when the trigger 1800 is coupled to the top trigger holder 142. Thesecond trigger hole 212 is configured to allow for the second triggerpin 1804 to pass through the support plate 102 when the trigger 1800 iscoupled to the top trigger holder 142.

Referring again to FIG. 16, the top trigger holder 142 provides alocation for demountably coupling the trigger 1800 and the trigger bar1806 to the support plate 102. Coupling the trigger 1800 to the supportplate 102 advantageously holds the trigger 1800 in an accessiblelocation while the firearm 1300 is undergoing maintenance. In addition,the trigger holder 142, 208 secures the trigger 1800 during removal ofthe first trigger pin 1802 and the second trigger pin 1804. The firsttrigger hole 210 and the second trigger hole 212 allow the trigger pins1802, 1804 to pass through the support plate 102 below. The front toptrigger wall 1600 is configured for various makes and models of pistoltriggers 1800, including triggers 1800 compatible with Smith and WessonSD and Sigma pistols.

Referring next to FIG. 17, a detail of the bottom trigger holder 208 ofthe firearm support apparatus 100 is shown. Shown are the bottom strikerholder 140, the bottom trigger holder 208, the first trigger hole 210,the second trigger hole 212, a front bottom trigger wall 1700, a rearbottom trigger wall 1702, and a front bottom trigger wall extension1704.

The bottom trigger holder 208 is a mirror image of the top triggerholder 142, with the exception of the front bottom trigger wallextension 1704. The front bottom trigger wall extension 1704 extendsfrom an edge of the front bottom trigger wall 1700 proximate to themagazine edge 106. The front bottom trigger wall extension 1704 isconfigured for additional support of the trigger bar 1806 when thetrigger 1800 is supported by the bottom trigger holder 208.

Referring again to FIG. 17, the bottom trigger holder 208 provides alocation for demountably coupling the trigger 1800 and the trigger bar1806 to the support plate 102. Coupling the trigger 1800 to the supportplate 102 advantageously holds the trigger 1800 in an accessiblelocation while the firearm 1300 is undergoing maintenance. In addition,the trigger holder secures the trigger 1800 during removal of the firsttrigger pin 1802 and the second trigger pin 1804. The first trigger hole210 and the second trigger hole 212 allow the trigger pins 1802, 1804 topass through the support plate 102 below. The front bottom trigger wall1700 is configured for various makes and models of pistol triggers 1800,including triggers 1800 compatible with Smith and Wesson SD and Sigmapistols.

Referring next to FIG. 18, a perspective view of the trigger 1800 andthe trigger bar 1806 are shown coupled to the top trigger holder 142 ofthe firearm support apparatus 100. Shown are the top face 112, the toptrigger holder 142, the front top trigger wall 1600, the rear toptrigger wall 1602, the trigger 1800, the first trigger pin 1802, thesecond trigger pin 1804, and the trigger bar 1806.

As previously described in FIGS. 16 and 17, the top trigger holder 142is configured for demountable coupling of the trigger 1800, with orwithout the trigger bar 1806, to the support plate 102. As shown in FIG.14, when the trigger 1800 is placed in a horizontal position between thefront top trigger wall 1600 and the rear top trigger wall 1602, thetrigger 1800 is demountably coupled to the support plate 102. Thetrigger walls 1600, 1602 are oriented so that the trigger bar 1806 mayextend over a portion of the support plate 102 proximate to the magazineedge 106, and pass over the magazine edge 106.

The trigger holes 210, 212 (not shown) are configured to allow forremoval of the first trigger pin 1802 and the second trigger pin 1804when they are pressed through the trigger 1800 and through the triggerholes 210, 212.

Referring next to FIG. 19, a partial plan view of the firearm supportapparatus 100, including the thumb safety 1900, when the firearm 1300 iscoupled to the bottom face 200 of the firearm support apparatus 100, isshown. Shown are the barrel edge 104, the thumb safety cutout 126, thebottom face 200, the first moveable boss 300, the firearm 1300, thethumb safety 1900, the safe position 1902, and the fire position 1904.

As previously described in FIG. 1, the thumb safety cutout 126 isconfigured to provide clearance around the thumb safety 1900 of thefirearm 1300 when the firearm 1300 is coupled to the firearm supportapparatus 100. The thumb safety 1900, when in the fire position 1904,approximately aligns with the top of the barrel 1302. An end of thethumb safety 1900 proximate to the barrel edge 104 is rotated towardsthe barrel edge 104 into the safe position 1902. As shown in FIG. 19,the thumb safety cutout 126 is configured to clear the thumb safety 1900in the fire position 1904, the safe position 1902, and all intermediatepositions, and to provide access for the use to manipulate the thumbsafety 1900 when the firearm 1300 is coupled to the firearm supportapparatus 100.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments, examples and applications thereof, numerousmodifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled inthe art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth inthe claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm support apparatus for securing afirearm, comprising: a support plate including a top face configured toconformingly receive the firearm in a flat position, the support plateincluding a barrel edge proximate to a barrel of the firearm when thefirearm is supported by the support plate, the support plate furtherincluding a first boss cutout, the first boss cutout configured in agenerally oblong shape, and located proximate to a back strap of thefirearm when the firearm is supported in the flat position, the supportplate further including a second boss cutout, the second boss cutoutconfigured in a generally oblong shape, the second boss cutout locatedproximate to a front strap of the firearm when the firearm is supportedin the flat position; at least four bottom legs coupled to a bottom faceof the support plate; a first moveable boss comprising a first topcylinder, the first top cylinder including a first top circular holeparallel to a cylindrical axis of the first top cylinder, and a firsttop hexagonal indentation in an end of the first top cylinder distal tothe support plate, the first top cylinder having an outer diametergreater than a width of the first boss cutout, and the first topcylinder cylindrical axis oriented generally perpendicular to the topface, a first bottom cylinder including a first bottom circular holeparallel to a cylindrical axis of the first bottom cylinder, and a firstbottom hexagonal indentation in an end of the first bottom cylinderdistal to the support plate, the first bottom cylinder having an outerdiameter greater than the width of the first boss cutout, and the firstbottom cylinder cylindrical axis oriented generally perpendicular to thebottom face, a first bolt comprising a first head and a first threadedshaft, whereby the first bolt couples the first top cylinder to thefirst bottom cylinder by the first head fitting snugly into the firsttop hexagonal indentation and the first threaded shaft extending throughthe first top circular hole, through the first boss cutout, and throughthe first bottom circular hole, a first nut fitting snugly into thefirst bottom hexagonal indentation and threadably coupled to the firstthreaded shaft, whereby the support plate is sandwiched between thefirst top cylinder and the first bottom cylinder and the first threadedshaft is encircled by the first boss cutout, whereby the first moveableboss slides relative to the top face and the bottom face by looseningthe first nut and sliding the first moveable boss along the top face andthe bottom face, and whereby the first moveable boss is frictionallycoupled to the support plate by tightening the first nut on the firstthreaded shaft, and whereby the first moveable boss positionally engagesthe firearm when the firearm is supported in the flat position by thesupport plate and the first moveable boss is juxtaposed with a rearcurved portion of the firearm, the rear curved portion proximate to thebarrel; a second moveable boss comprising a second top cylinder, thesecond top cylinder including a second top circular hole parallel to acylindrical axis of the second top cylinder, and a second top hexagonalindentation in an end of the second top cylinder distal to the supportplate, the second top cylinder having an outer diameter greater than awidth of the second boss cutout, and the second top cylinder cylindricalaxis oriented generally perpendicular to the top face, a second bottomcylinder including a second bottom circular hole parallel to acylindrical axis of the second bottom cylinder, and a second bottomhexagonal indentation in the end of the first bottom cylinder distal tothe support plate, the second bottom cylinder having an outer diametergreater than the width of the second boss cutout, and a second bottomcylinder cylindrical axis oriented generally perpendicular to the bottomface, a second bolt comprising a second head and a second threadedshaft, whereby the second bolt couples the second top cylinder to thesecond bottom cylinder by the second head fitting snugly into the secondtop cylinder hexagonal indentation and the second threaded shaftextending through the second top circular hole, through the second bosscutout, and through the second bottom circular hole, a second nut, thesecond nut fitting snugly into the second bottom hexagonal indentationand being threadably coupled to the second threaded shaft, whereby thesupport plate is sandwiched between the second top cylinder and thesecond bottom cylinder and the second threaded shaft is encircled by thesecond boss cutout, whereby the second moveable boss slides relative tothe top face and the bottom face by loosening the second nut and slidingthe second moveable boss along the top face and the bottom face, andwhereby the second moveable boss is frictionally coupled to the supportplate by tightening the second nut on the second threaded shaft; andwhereby the second moveable boss positionally engages the firearm whenthe firearm is supported in the flat position by the support plate andthe second moveable boss is juxtaposed with a front curved portion ofthe firearm, the front curved portion formed by an intersection of atrigger of the firearm and the front strap of the firearm; at least onetop frame projection coupled to the top face, the at least one top frameprojection located proximate to the barrel edge, whereby the at leastone top frame projection is juxtaposed with a top side of a firearmbarrel, whereby a combination of the first moveable boss, the secondmoveable boss, and the at least one top frame projection results inhorizontal restraint of the firearm, and whereby the horizontalrestraint is removed by loosening at least one moveable boss.
 2. Thefirearm support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a generallytubular bottom projection coupled to the bottom face of the supportplate generally proximate to a center of the barrel edge, a bottomprojection length being less than or equal to the length of each of aplurality of bottom legs.
 3. The firearm support apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: the bottom face of the support plate configured tosupport the firearm in the flat position when the bottom face facesupward; at least four top legs coupled to the top face of the supportplate, whereby the at least four top legs support the support plate whenthe bottom face faces upward; at least one bottom frame projectioncoupled to the bottom face, the at least one bottom frame projectionlocated proximate to the barrel edge, whereby the at least one bottomframe projection is juxtaposed with a top side of the firearm barrel,whereby the combination of the first moveable boss, the second moveableboss, and the at least one bottom frame projection results in horizontalrestraint of the firearm when the bottom face faces upward, and wherebythe horizontal restraint is removed by loosening the at least onemoveable boss.
 4. The firearm support apparatus of claim 3, furthercomprising a generally tubular top projection coupled to the top face ofthe support plate generally proximate to a center of the barrel edge, atop projection length less than or equal to the length of each of aplurality of top legs.
 5. The firearm support apparatus of claim 1, thesupport plate further including a thumb safety cutout configured suchthat a thumb safety of the firearm is uncontacted by the firearm supportapparatus when the firearm is secured in the flat position on thesupport plate.
 6. The firearm support apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a generally tubular top striker holder coupled to the topface in a location accessible when the firearm is secured in the flatposition by the firearm support apparatus, a top striker holderconfigured to receive an end of a firearm striker, whereby a strikerspring is accessible when a striker is received by the top strikerholder.
 7. The firearm support apparatus of claim 3, further comprisinga generally tubular bottom striker holder coupled to the bottom face ina location accessible when the firearm is secured in the flat positionby the firearm support apparatus and the bottom face faces upward, thebottom striker holder configured to receive an end of a firearm striker,whereby a striker spring is accessible when a striker is received by thebottom striker holder.
 8. The firearm support apparatus of claim 1, thesupport plate further including a takedown lever cutout, the takedownlever cutout configured such that a frame takedown lever of the firearmis uncontacted by the firearm support apparatus when the firearm issecured in the flat position on the support plate.
 9. The firearmsupport apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top face of the support plateincludes a takedown lever contour configured such that a takedown leveris uncontacted by the support plate when the firearm is supported in theflat position.
 10. The firearm support apparatus of claim 3, wherein thetop face of the support plate includes a takedown lever contourconfigured such that a takedown lever is uncontacted by the supportplate when the bottom face faces upward and the firearm is supported inthe flat position.
 11. The firearm support apparatus of claim 1, thesupport plate further including a slide lock lever cutout configuredsuch that a slide lock lever of the firearm is uncontacted by thefirearm support apparatus when the firearm is secured in the flatposition on the support plate.
 12. The firearm support apparatus ofclaim 1, the support plate further including a magazine release levercutout configured such that a magazine release lever of the firearm isuncontacted by the firearm support apparatus when the firearm is securedin the flat position on the support plate.
 13. The firearm supportapparatus of claim 1, the support plate further including a sear housingpin cutout configured whereby a sear housing pin may be removed from thefirearm and pass through the sear housing pin cutout when the firearm issecured in the flat position on the support plate.
 14. The firearmsupport apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a top trigger holderincluding at least one top trigger holder wall, the at least one toptrigger holder wall coupled to the top face of the support plate, the atleast one top trigger holder wall configured to receive the trigger ofthe firearm.
 15. The firearm support apparatus of claim 14, furthercomprising at least one trigger pin cutout located within a perimeter ofthe at least one top trigger holder wall, whereby a trigger pin may passthrough the at least one trigger pin cutout when the trigger is receivedby the top trigger holder.
 16. The firearm support apparatus of claim15, further comprising a bottom trigger holder including at least onebottom trigger holder wall, the at least one bottom trigger holder wallcoupled to the bottom face of the support plate, the at least one bottomtrigger holder wall configured to receive the trigger of the firearmwhen the bottom face is upward.
 17. The firearm support apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the firearm support apparatus is formed by injectionmolding.
 18. The firearm support apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirearm support plate, the first top cylinder, the first bottomcylinder, the second top cylinder and the second bottom cylindercomprise high-density polymer plastic.
 19. The firearm support apparatusof claim 1, wherein the first bolt, the first nut, the second bolt andthe second nut comprise stainless steel.
 20. A method of securing afirearm to a firearm support apparatus, comprising the steps of: layingthe firearm in a flat position on an upward-facing surface of a supportplate of the firearm support apparatus such that an at least one topframe projection coupled to the upward-facing surface is proximate to atop of a barrel of the firearm, a first moveable boss coupled to thesupport plate is proximate to a front strap of the firearm, and a secondmoveable boss coupled to the support plate is proximate to a back strapof the firearm; sliding the first moveable boss along a top face suchthat the first moveable boss is juxtaposed with the firearm; securingthe first moveable boss to the support plate in the juxtaposed position;sliding the second moveable boss along the top face such that the secondmoveable boss is juxtaposed with the firearm; securing the secondmoveable boss to the support plate in the juxtaposed position.
 21. Themethod of securing the firearm to the firearm support apparatusaccording to claim 20, further comprising the steps of: removing atrigger from the firearm; receiving of the trigger by a trigger holdercoupled to the upward-facing surface.
 22. The method of securing thefirearm to the firearm support apparatus according to claim 21, thesupport plate further comprising at least one trigger pin cutout,configured to align with at least one trigger pin of the firearm whenthe trigger is received by the trigger holder, and further comprisingthe steps of: removing the at least one trigger pin from the trigger,whereby the trigger pin falls through the at least one trigger pincutout.
 23. The method of securing the firearm to the firearm supportapparatus according to claim 20, further comprising the steps of:removing a striker from the firearm; receiving of the striker by astriker holder coupled to the upward-facing surface.
 24. The method ofsecuring the firearm to the firearm support apparatus according to claim23, further comprising a striker spring encircling the striker, wherebya spring may be removed from the striker when the striker is received bythe striker holder.
 25. The method of securing the firearm to thefirearm support apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising thestriker holder configured to receive the striker in a generally verticalorientation.
 26. The method of securing the firearm to the firearmsupport apparatus according to claim 20, the support plate furtherincluding a takedown lever cutout configured such that a takedown leverof the firearm is uncontacted by the firearm support apparatus when thefirearm is secured to the firearm support apparatus.
 27. The method ofsecuring the firearm to the firearm support apparatus according to claim20, the support plate further including a slide lock lever cutoutconfigured such that a slide lock lever of the firearm is uncontacted bythe firearm support apparatus when the firearm is secured to a supportapparatus.
 28. The method of securing the firearm to the firearm supportapparatus according to claim 20, the support plate further including amagazine release lever cutout configured such that a magazine releaselever of the firearm is uncontacted by the firearm support apparatuswhen the firearm is secured to a support apparatus.
 29. The method ofsecuring the firearm to the firearm support apparatus according to claim20, the support plate further including a sear housing pin cutoutconfigured such that a sear housing pin of the firearm may be removedfrom the firearm support apparatus when the firearm is secured to asupport apparatus, and further comprising the steps of: removing thesear housing pin from the firearm, whereby the sear housing pin fallsthrough the sear housing pin cutout.